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Underlying that powder are layers of ice (largely from freezing rain storms) which are much more perilous. Started by: jack. Above that elevation, icy snow is largely continuous to Saddle Junction. The East Ridge Trail from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak has multiple tracks, all of which were disappearing under fresh spindrift when I ascended that way on Monday 23rd. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 4-5 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 4-6 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 3-4 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. While searchers said three of the men who died were experienced hikers, Kumm is better described as an outdoors enthusiast, said Cpl. San Bernardino, CA 92408 Snowfall in the high country has been somewhat below expectations, with nine inches at San Jacinto Peak (for a current total depth of about 16-18 inches), and 5-6 inches in Long Valley (8600ft, total c.6 inches). Two more significant atmospheric river storm systems are forecast on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th, and on 16th-18th. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently ideal everywhere above about 9500 ft. The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are described by the Forest Service as not maintained. The Vivian Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail. From the top of Marion Mountain Trail icy snow cover is about 90% to Little Round Valley, although there are a few lengthy clear areas on sun-exposed sections. At the Peak on Thursday 29th December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 25.8F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 7.2F (-14C), 81% relative humidity, and a harsh WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 25.4 mph. Back-to-back Pacific storm systems already the tenth and eleventh storms of this winter are forecast for Saturday 14th and then from late Sunday 15th January to the early hours of Tuesday 17th January. Rainfall in Idyllwild (at 5550ft) has also maintained a steady pace, with close to 0.7 inch so far today. Mt. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 45-48 inches (includes about 24 inches snow in latest storms), heavily drifted to 60 inches in places, especially on the East Ridge. By 619jeffry. Snow depths measured at many locations on the trail system on 11th January are given at the foot of this posting. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. Snowfall in Long Valley (8600 ft) has been steady until largely stopping by 1600, with close to 10 inches added since yesterday for a total accumulation there of nearly three feet. 2020 San Gorgonio: Type of Hike: Overnight: Trailhead: South Fork: Hiking Companions: Hiked with a group: Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles: Bug Status: No bugs: Snow Conditions: Trail snow-covered at times - Gear and expertise recommended: Trail Conditions: Obstacles on trail: Hiked up to Dry Lake and set up camp for an early . That fair weather in the valleys has fooled too many hikers, Weston said. 2-3 inches on 9th), Saddle Junction/approx. My snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junction through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide , the Peak Trail, and East Ridge, but this may become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-1 inches (3.5 inches on 12th December). The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track to follow through the steadily melting 1-2 inches of icy snow. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used for much of the hike. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces below the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). It continued to rain heavily overnight at mid elevations everywhere below about 7000 ft. Idyllwild at 5550 ft elevation recorded an impressive 4.01 inches of rain in the 24 hour period up to 0700 this morning. At the Peak on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at 1115 the air temperature was 16.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -3.6F (-20C), 27% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 25.8 mph. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th), Storm updates 24th February-1st March2023, Minor snow storm update 11th January2023, Weather and trail update 27th December2022, Moderate snow storm 11th-12th December2022. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 12th November 2022 are as follows (measured on 15th for Deer Springs Trail locations). On 23rd January I saw posthole tracks from Saddle Junction that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, the start of Willow Creek Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. The source is here. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. A key feature of this sequence of storms will be the relative warmth of the air masses which will lead to high freeze levels. And he said he doesn't have any doubt that his friend is still alive. Fengguikou. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm on Thursday 5th. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Whether you're a Girl Scout, a volunteer, or a family member, decide what you'll do next in your Girl Scout experience. As discussed above, multiple additional snowfalls forecast for 14th-18th January will further complicate the trail conditions. There is a lightly traveled compacted snowshoe track on the East Ridge between Miller Peak and San Jacinto Peak but it does not accurately follow the route of the East Ridge Trail. Precipitation turned to occasional light snow in Long Valley at about 1330, with an accumulation by 1550 of just 0.5 inch. The primary purpose of this update is an advisory of imminent major snow accumulation forecast due to a triple storm sequence. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is well underway, e.g., on lower South Ridge and Deer Springs trails. The PCT throughout the San Jacinto mountains (roughly Miles 207-151) has a clear track to follow, including Fuller Ridge Trail, which has been traversed by a handful of sobo PCT hikers. Every year seems to have its challenges and it is clear already that 2023 will be no exception. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 11th January 2023 at 0915 the air temperature was 24.0F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 5.8F (-15C), 74% relative humidity, and a bitter NNW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 24.5 mph. Spikes are strongly recommended as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. In the meantime, a lengthy video discussion of the current situation recorded at the Peak is available here, and a brief panorama video from the Peak proper is available here. Deer Springs Trail [updated 22nd December] has an accurate track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak as I broke trail the entire way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction on 15th December. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. With such strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday 26th causing extensive drifting, and a light snowfall early on 30th, by the 30th prior tracks had been thoroughly erased and I was once again breaking trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak, largely through relatively shallow powder. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. A minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st will include severe cold and severe winds, followed by milder, moderate storm on 22nd-23rd, and then an unusual atmospheric river combined with very cold air again producing heavy snowfall for 23rd-25th February. Final precipitation numbers for Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft elevation) across the three days were 5.06 inches of rain and 6.5 inches of snow, although only about half of the latter remained on the ground as a few inches were removed by (relatively) warm rain between snow storms. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. In my most recent survey there were at least 82 treefall hazards between PCT Miles 170-175 including 20+ major ones, and about six more on PCT Miles 175-177. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Spikes are recommended. Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Locations in between, especially those on the western and southern slopes, added more with up to five inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). Section C. I-10/San Gorgonio Pass to I-15/Cajon Pass. Consequently I put on crampons at Wellmans Cienega, keeping them on all day until low down on Deer Springs Trail. San Gorgonio are popular peaks year-round with Southland hikers, and receive snowfall above roughly 7,000 feet in winter. There is an excellent snowshoe track to follow on the Wellman Trail and the Peak Trail up to San Jacinto Peak. Trails above about 8500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft on the west side, 9900 ft on the east). Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). Early on the morning of Saturday 17th I broke trail back-and-forth across the 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak which now has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder. Trails down to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover. There is a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. So we recommend getting your permit in advance! If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. These are free and self-issued. In my recent experience off-trail snow is now also largely too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. Of course, this February was notable in that roughly 80% of the total fell all in the last week of the month, with no respite for significant melting. Our Council owns and operates Skyland Ranch, a magnificent 192-acre camp property in the San Jacinto Mountains below the town of Idyllwild, and Camp Azalea Trails, a remote camp setting located outside of Idyllwild. When Anabel and I waded out for a modest walk, the snowplows seemed to be struggling to keep up on the streets, but we know they will catch up in due course. One of the most visited National Forest in Southern California. Stone Creek campground had also closed, but I saw that it had apparently reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since February 2019. UPDATE Friday 20th January: Overnight Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow, but the high country was above the cloud so existing tracks should be unaffected. Highways into Idyllwild were closed today and may well be for some or all of tomorrow. San Bernardino County authorities have rescued at least six other hikers since Jan. 1. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2023 will be no exception. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 2nd-5th December 2022 are as follows, with depths after the only significant storm of this winter to date (on 9th November) for comparison in parentheses where known. It is possible they may deteriorate even further with some warming from direct sunlight. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 4-5 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 4 inches on 24th (was approx. Altitudes are approximate. Spikes are useful at least for descending. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 19th February 2023 at 1015 the air temperature was 19.6F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 4.1F (-16C), 44% relative humidity, and a moderate SSE wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14 mph. Forecasts remain more uncertain about the second wave of stormy weather on 16th-18th January. The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. Lightly cloudy conditions made for a delightful hike on the evening of Monday 21st ascending San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain and Deer Spring trails, descending the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails). Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Thank you so much for your support. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths can be well below the average. The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping panoramic views from the top of Mt. The next full update will likely be on the afternoon of 25th. They are strongly recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, and on both flanks but critically on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. At least two further minor storm systems are forecast, overnight into Tuesday 3rd January, and then again all day on Thursday 5th January, as described in more detail in the Weather section below. The East Ridge Trail (from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak) has a handful of tracks through the continuous snow, though none (including mine) accurately follow the trail route. With some melting already underway and compaction caused by freeze-thaw cycles and hiker traffic, conditions will deteriorate for snowshoeing over the next few days, especially on more heavily traveled trails below 9000ft. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places. These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. The areas reopened include all campgrounds in the Barton Flats and Heartbar areas, including Jenks Lake picnic area. Please take the time after your hike to fill out the form your feedback will help local managers improve services and provide valuable trip planning information for other visitors. The main Dry Lake Trail is much steeper and can very slick if conditions are icy. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the ease (or otherwise) of hiking a given trail. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. This will change later this week. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Temperatures will be near or generally below seasonal for the next ten days at least. The high country was above the weather most of the night, and added an inch of fresh snow at most, however there were 2.25 inches in Idyllwild, and also roughly the same fresh snow depth at Humber Park and Saddle Junction. The shape of the mountain is influenced by a series of steeply dipping thrust faults on the north face . Spikes will likely become increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. The snow quickly turned into semi-melted slush. The Vivian Creek trail is an artery used by hikers to reach the peak. Looking for partner (s) for these tentative scheduled hikes - see my Meetup SoCal Mountain Running & Mountaineering or DM me for more info. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. While snowfall accompanying the first of those storms may be light, perhaps 2-4 inches in Idyllwild and 4-6 inches in the high country, strong winds at the highest peaks are tentatively forecast to produce extremely cold windchill conditions, similar to 15th February (see below). The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping . Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Search and Rescue advises always hike with someone, and not leave your group. Once we reached the point where the Mineshaft trail beings it's long series of switchbacks (around 10,500' ) the trail was completely covered, forcing us to go direct - straight up the snow + a bit of rock scrambling up a large scree rock slid.. In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. Gary Suttle's book lists it as 8.4mi. My Actual Distance: 18.4 miles. Overnight in Idyllwild we had three inches of snow, the first notable snowfall of this latest storm series, but temperatures actually warmed during the night (presumably with the arrival of the latest atmospheric river) and before dawn it was raining on top of the snow. With storms accompanied by strong west winds, the slopes above about 9500 ft on the east flanks of San Jacinto and Jean peaks may develop a snow structure with minor to moderate avalanche risk by the weekend of 25th-26th (as last seen on these slopes in early 2017). Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. No tracks had made it as far as Chinquapin from Saddle Junction at that time. Spitler Peak Trail is now functionally clear of snow. UPDATE Wednesday 14th December 2022: Early this morning Anabel and I broke trail up Spitler Peak Trail to the PCT. Most notable for our region is the remaining uncertainty within the meteorological models, which could result in us receiving half (or double!) SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. Section D. I-15/Cajon Pass to Hwy-14/Agua Dulce. Kenneth Smith, 66, of Yucaipa died Jan. 5 while ice climbing in the Forest Falls area, not far from where Barbour is missing now. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! By comparison, approximately 42 inches were recorded in February 2023 (provisional data). The high winds forecast did not materialize, although gusts up to 35 mph have been enough to cause very heavy drifting. Snow Snowfields to cross - could be difficult. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. A storm currently predicted for Wednesday 22nd February is tentatively forecast to have near record low (i.e. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. Extremely cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The freeze level will initially be above 10,000 ft, ultimately only falling to about 9000 ft, so many of the main access trails to the high country may get no new snowfall. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 28th November 2022 at 0855 the air temperature was 26.2F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 8.8F (-13C), 11% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 17 mph gusting to 24.6 mph. The next comprehensive update of the Report will likely be in the evening of Wednesday 11th. Clearly conditions are expected to continue to change over the next week or two, so this summary is intentionally brief. Be prepared for trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) obscured by moderate to deep snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. The State Park cut about a dozen trees on the section of trail under their jurisdiction in late July. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, plus an ice axe (and thorough knowledge of how to use it) are currently required for traversing these slopes. We removed nine treefall hazards on 18th November and the trail is now completely clear again, bringing to 56 the number of trees we have removed from this trail since mid 2021. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. The PCT on the south-facing slope (Angels Glide) for about 1.0 mile north of Saddle Junction is largely clear of snow (spikes not required). Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). There was a further 0.5 inch dusting of snow above 8000 ft on Thursday 29th (as I describe in this video). All have been reported to US Forest Service. We have surveyed the high country almost daily, with hikes taking in San Jacinto Peak at least twice per week, Tahquitz Peak area once per week, and a variety of other trails on other days (World Cup viewing permitting of course). This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. Forecasts for snowfall have varied greatly in both timing and volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet. In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. Phone is 909-382-2882 or you can request a permit via fax at (909) 794-1125. contact San Bernardino National Forest, San Gorgonio Ranger District, 34701 Mill Creek Rd., Mentone, CA 92359 909-382-2882 or fax (909) 794-1125.Current Trail Conditions. Melting and freeze/thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain for the remainder of February. I hope to provide a more thorough Report tomorrow. There were no visible hiker tracks on Marion Mountain, Seven Pines, or Fuller Ridge trails, as of 15th February. The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek. On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. Started by: MikeH. Did you know? However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as snow depths increase over the coming days; they may initially be useful as low as 4000 ft, steadily rising to 5000-6000 ft next week. "Warning, Extreme Icy Conditions Do Not Hike Alone," stated fliers handed out with hiking permits in the San Gorgonio district of the San Bernardino National Forest beginning Wednesday. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). Snowshoes are no longer required on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. These can be obtained from any of the ranger stations or from many of the local merchants. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently lightly (or above 8500 ft, moderately) snow-covered. "He's a pretty smart dude and a great physical man at 6-2, 240 pounds. The natural traction was superb, and I barebooted all the way to just above Wellman Divide (9700 ft) before finally putting on Kahtoola microspikes, accompanied by an ice axe. After an interesting month of weather, the remainder of January into February is forecast to be somewhat more settled. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. South Fork Trail is a popular 5.94-mile hike in the San Gorgonio Wilderness that gains around 4,600 feet of elevation. There may be patches, but nothing you can't get around or easily through without special gear. An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct and avoids all of the very challenging bushwhacking of the former trails (local hikers Charles Phelan and Mark Gumprecht kindly nicknamed it the King Trail when I established the route in 2019). Please allow at least 72 hours for processing of permits.And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day.In addition to the wilderness permits an Adventure Pass is required for each vehicle. The average snow depth in this area is only about five inches, but on this slope it is heavily drifted in places at 10-12 inches. The table also shows that with another few inches, this could be the biggest snow season since the 1940s! My posthole/glissading track between LRV and San Jacinto Peak is very direct and steep, and of limited help to an ascending hiker. Thank you so much for your support. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs.